Kansas City escapes with a 3-2 win
Published on July 18, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
KANSAS CITY, KS- The Joliet JackHammers (22-35) fought back from a 2-0 deficit with two runs in the 8th inning only to see the Kansas City T-Bones (26-29) score a run in the bottom of the 8th inning to win 3-2 before 7,603 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Saturday night.
Kansas City scored a single run in the 3rd inning against Joliet RHP Nate Sevier, who started his first game of the season on Saturday night. SS Mark Minicozzi (1-3) singled and 3B Jacob Blackwood (1-3) popped out to third base in foul territory. CF Aharon Eggleston (1-4) and 1B Damian Rolls (2-4) followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases.
Jacobs hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Minicozzi for a 1-0 Kansas City lead.
Sevier lasted four innings and allowed one run on four hits to get a no-decision. He walked just one man and struck out three T-Bones.
The home squad scored an unearned run in the 6th inning against Blackwell. Rolls struck out and Jacobs flew out to start off the inning. C Craig Hurba (0-3) reached base on an error by Joliet 3B Andrew Pinckney. DH Jim Fasano (2-3) hit a single to move Hurba to second. LF Ryan Fox (0-4) reached on an error to load the bases. 2B Neb Brown (0-4) reached base on an error by Joliet 2B Danny Cox to plate Hurba for a 2-0 Kansas City lead.
The JackHammers tied the game with two runs in the 8th inning. 2B Danny Cox (0-3) led off the inning by striking out and C Phil Avlas (1-4) struck out, but went to first base on a dropped third strike and throwing error by Kansas City C Craig Hurba. A groundout by CF Adam Klein (0-4) moved Avlas to second base. SS Kevin Rios (3-4) hit a single to prolong the inning for LF Brad Correll (1-4), who smacked a two-run double to score both runners for a 2-2 tied score.
In the 8th inning, Blackwell allowed a leadoff triple to Rolls. Manager Wally Backman lifted Blackwell in favor of LHP Ryan Paul, with the left-handed batting Jacobs at the plate. Jacobs lifted his second sacrifice fly of the game, sending a ball to the warning track in left field. Rolls tagged up from third base and scored the go-ahead run at 3-2.
Loose Gravel: The JackHammers re-signed IF/OF Kyle Nichols to a contract before the game. The veteran last played for Joliet in 2006, when he hit .267 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 37 games played. Since then, Nichols has logged time for a number of different teams. He most recently played for Victoria of the Golden Baseball League. The JackHammers also placed C Tug Gillingham on the disabled list, retroactive to July 13. Nichols started the game at DH for Joliet and went 1-4 on Saturday.
The JackHammers and T-Bones finish their series with the rubber-match on Sunday night at 5:05 p.m. Joliet sends RHP Rory Shortell (3-2, 3.50) to the mound against LHP Ryan Knippschild (3-2, 3.21) for Kansas City. Pre-game coverage begins at 4:50 p.m. on AM 1340 WJOL and online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.
The JackHammers currently have pro-rated full season seats, mini-plan packages, various group outings, affordable marketing opportunities and individual game tickets available for the 2009 season. To invest, or for more information, please contact them TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), visit their website (www.jackhammerbaseball.com) or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.
Northern League Stories from July 18, 2009
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- Kansas City Takes Game Two from JackHammers, 3-2 - Kansas City Monarchs
- Kansas City escapes with a 3-2 win - Joliet JackHammers
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